Mahomes throws 2 touchdown passes and the Chiefs’ defense preserves a 22-17 win over the Falcons

ATLANTA (AP) — Patrick Mahomes threw a pair of touchdown passes and Kansas City’s defense made a couple of late stands to keep the Chiefs unbeaten with a 22-17 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday night.

The two-time reigning Super Bowl champion Chiefs have been far from perfect — Mahomes threw another interception — but they won their first three games by a combined 13 points.

Thank the defense for this one.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) loses the ball but recovers against Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Coming off an upset victory at Philadelphia, the Falcons (1-2) had a couple of shots at the go-ahead touchdown in the closing minutes.

Kirk Cousins threw a pair of incompletions in the end zone from the Chiefs 6 to end one chance, and the final drive ended with Bijan Robinson being thrown for a 3-yard loss on fourth-and-1 at the Kansas City 13 with less than a minute remaining.

Mahomes threw for 217 yards, including scoring throws to Rashee Rice and JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Harrison Butker booted three field goals for the Chiefs.

Cousins was 20 of 29 for 230 yards with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Drake London and a 50-yard completion to Kyle Pitts that set up Robinson’s 1-yard scoring run.